Academic Skills (8011A)
Credits: 2 credits per semester
The Academic Skills course develops executive functioning, academic and transition skills to enable achievement in high school and postsecondary settings. Academic Skills uses specialized academic instruction in math, reading, and writing, along with an executive functioning and transition curriculum to address areas of individual need aligned to the ARHS content curriculum. Students are taught to self-monitor, self-advocate, appropriately plan for completion of all assignments, and to create a post-high school plan. Academic Skills will offer the opportunity to check in with Special Education teachers and receive targeted interventions based on Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals. Students should still plan to complete homework outside of school as there is not enough time in Academic Skills to complete all assignments in that setting.
Students are assessed based on participation in class activities and on-going work with building self-advocacy skills.
SSP Academic Skills (8004A) (Student Support Program)
Credits: 2 credits per semester
Students work both collaboratively and independently with their teacher to develop a toolbox of strategies and coping mechanisms in order to gain greater access to the curriculum. Students are taught to self-monitor, self-advocate, appropriately plan for completion of all assignments, and to create a post-high school plan. Academic Skills will offer the opportunity to check in with Special Education teachers and receive targeted interventions based on Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals. Students should still plan to complete homework outside of school as there is not enough time in Academic Skills to complete all assignments in that setting. Students will receive a grade of pass/fail, assessment will be based on participation in class activities and on-going work with building a toolbox of coping strategies.
AIMS Academic Skills (8002E) (Academic Individualized Mainstream Support)
Credits: 2 credits per semester
In addition to the Academic Skills course description above, this class delivers highly individualized instruction and support for students on the Autism Spectrum in self-management, social navigation, communication, and transition to adulthood.
ILA Academic Skills Class (853E) (Integrated Language Arts)
Credits: 2 per semester
In addition to the Academic Skills course descriptions above, this class uses specialized academic instruction in reading and writing to address areas of individual need aligned to the ARHS content curriculum. Students will receive targeted interventions based on Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals, especially reading intervention.
Integrated Language Arts 9 (875B)/10 (876B)
Credits: 4
The Integrated Language Arts course incorporates systematic, multi-sensory approaches to delivering standards-based instruction and curriculum that supports language development. ILA mirrors the general education curriculum but is modified in pace and level and tailored to meet the individual learning needs of its students. The reading curriculum encompasses fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and dramatic text with an emphasis on depth and a slower pace to allow for explicit instruction in reading comprehension skills, vocabulary growth and improved reading fluency. Instruction on analytic writing skills is woven throughout the study of literature and students are encouraged to improve their independent writing abilities as well as their comfort in utilizing assistive technology. Students are challenged to reach their goals in English Language Arts as dictated by their IEPs as well as to push themselves in the areas of self-advocacy and academic esteem.
Topics in English Literature 9/10 (8181)
Topics in English Literature 11/12 (8182)
Credits: 4
Topics in English Literature supports development of reading comprehension, foundational writing skills, literary concepts, and listening and speaking skills through substantially modified curriculum and instruction. The reading curriculum encompasses fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and dramatic text with an emphasis on comprehension and occasionally some analysis. The class runs at a slower pace to allow for explicit instruction in reading comprehension skills and vocabulary growth. There is opportunity for flexible pacing, substantial modification, focused attention, and support on lessons, with significant instructional time dedicated to repetition and practice around foundational language arts skills. Writing and reading assignments will be completed in a highly scaffolded classroom environment.
Topics in US History (836A)
Credits: 4
This one semester course in United States history is organized thematically that will focus on the following themes. The format of the class will stress projects and hands-on assignments as well as structured reading and writing assignments. Most of the essay writing assignments will be completed in class, but regular homework will also be assigned. This class provides substantial teacher assistance with writing and reading as well as organizational skills.
Topics in Consumer Economics (8481)
Credits: 4
This one semester financial literacy course teaches students how to make wise financial decisions to promote financial well-being over their lifetime. The course teaches basic skills in understanding our financial system, including personal debt, money management, taxes, banking, financing post-secondary education choices, independent living skills and learning rights as a consumer and workplace rights. The class provides substantial teacher support with reading, writing, and creating projects. There is an emphasis on needed real life skills.
Topics in Mathematics 1 (8202)
Credits: 8
This first year of the intervention math sequence offers students opportunities to strengthen their number sense, their understanding of operations, their fluency with math facts and calculations, and their ability to apply mathematics to real life situations. In Topics in Math 1, students engage in intensive work with fractions and decimals, operations on fractions and decimals, and positive and negative numbers. An online portal provides students with extra practice on the concepts and skills they are learning in class. Emphasis is on mastering the concepts and skills necessary to move forward towards the Algebra/Geometry sequence. Academic work in mathematics is supplemented with instruction in and practice of math skills related to activities of daily living (i.e., financial literacy, time, measurement, etc.).
Topics in Mathematics 2 (8204)
Credits: 8
This second year of the intervention math sequence offers students additional opportunities to strengthen their number sense, their understanding of operations, their fluency with math facts and calculations, and their ability to apply mathematics to real life situations. In Topics in Math 2, students work on proportional reasoning including rates, ratios, and percentages, and move on to work with linear relationships. An online portal provides students with extra practice on the concepts and skills they are learning in class. Emphasis is once again on mastering the concepts and skills necessary to move forward towards the Algebra/Geometry sequence. Academic work in mathematics is supplemented with instruction in and practice of math skills related to activities of daily living (i.e., financial literacy, time, measurement, etc.).
Pathways to Independence Program (PIP):
The Pathways to Independence Program (PIP) is a specially designed program for students requiring a significant level of support in planning for their transition into adulthood to become contributing members of their community. The embedded transition services are a coordinated set of activities that are based on the student's needs and that take into account individual preferences and interests. The three focus areas for transition service delivery are: preparedness for postsecondary education and training, employment and vocational skills, and community linkages and independent living skills. Person-Centered-Planning and self-determination are at the core of the program, beginning in 9th grade and carrying through 12+.
The following Pathways to Independence courses offer significantly modified curricula, aligned to Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, using evidenced-based curriculum. All courses are semester based, earn 4 credits per semester, and are assessed by pass/fail grading.
Independent Living/Vocational Skills (8801)
Credits: 4 credits per semester
This course encompasses the development of skills in self-determination as it relates to living independently and gaining pre-employment skills necessary to engage in supportive or competitive employment. Skill development focuses on those necessary for healthful living, including indoor and outdoor safety, food preparation and healthy eating, home and workplace cleanliness, personal care and grooming, vocational awareness, and leisure skill development. The course may include travel training on the PVTA bus system, meal planning, shopping, money management, work-based experience, time management, adult agency linkages, and leisure activity interest exploration. Individual programming is tailored to interest and ability and functional academic and communication are embedded into all activities.
Functional Academics (8101)
Credits: 4 credits per semester
This course is designed to build fundamental reading, writing, mathematics and communication skills that students will use in their transition to adult life. Topics in literature, current events, geography, measurement, money management, estimation, data collection, and computer literacy are infused with functional applications that are highly differentiated to each student’s ability. Curricula include News2You, Unique Learning, Money Math, Teachtown Encore, and Edmark Reading. Students work on individualized goals in both small group and structured 1:1 setting.
Social Skills (833)
Credits: 4 credits per semester
This course focuses on skill development related to communication, perspective taking, teamwork, community building, boundaries and relationships, confidence, self-advocacy and self-determination, self-regulation, critical thinking and creative thinking. Students use the Whole Selves curriculum to identify different types of relationships and expected behaviors and boundaries for each relationship type.
Unified PE (8706)
Credits: 1 credit per quarter; 2 per semester
Inclusive Physical Education class for students in the Pathways to Independence Program. Students will work with general education peer mentors through social skills such as friendship development as well as physical sport and fitness related skills.
Unified Art (8704)
Credits: 1 credit per quarter
Inclusive Art class for students in the Pathways to Independence Program. Students will work with general education peer mentors through social skills such as friendship development as well as art and other creative skills.
Unified Performing Arts (8707)
Credits: 1 credit per quarter
Inclusive Performing Arts class for students in the Pathways to Independence Program. Students will work with general education peer mentors through social skills such as friendship development as well as theater and other creative skills.